The Wyoming Game and Fish Department discusses antler and fishing sheds

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) – As part of the recent legislative session efforts to create panels around shed hunting.

Two bills to help outdoor hunters have emerged that will soon take effect.

“This season will be as normal as ever, and next year we will really see these changes take effect,” said Breanna Ball, Public Affairs Officer for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

The fallow deer hunting season begins May 1 in the western part of the state.

Governor Mark Gordon recently signed two new bills that deal with downed branches.

The first bill, which will go into effect next year, would allow residents to collect antlers seven days earlier than non-residents on designated lands.

The second bill requires non-residents to obtain a security stamp before collecting them; this law will come into force on July 15.

Next, anglers should be aware of increased water flows from Gray Reef Reservoir along the North Platte River until March 29.

“The flushing process improves spawning habitat for trout populations and increases macro and invertebrate food production for these fish,” Ball said.

Experts say that before flooding, the number of fish per square kilometer was about 400 trout. After the flush, the number of trout per square mile along the Platte River rose to 3,500.

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